Wee said respect for the national flag was not in question, but that enforcement must follow the rule of law, not political ultimatums or personal threats.

“We do not run this country on arbitrary deadlines set by politicians,” he said in a Facebook post today.

“Public intimidation of this kind will only backfire. Instead of encouraging Malaysians to proudly display the flag, it will make them think twice. Why risk flying the flag if a mistake could lead to personal threats or self-incrimination?”

Wee also urged leaders to promote patriotism through education, example, and lawful action rather than acting as “self-appointed enforcers”.

“Turning a flag mishap into a political stunt only divides us and distracts from the real work of nation-building. Let the authorities do their job, and let us keep politics out of the flagpole,” he said.

In a video on his Facebook page, Akmal gave prosecutors two days to charge the 59-year-old hardware store owner, failing which he said he would “teach this ‘ah pek’ (uncle) how to correctly put up a flag” himself.

The incident, which took place in Penang, was caught on video with the clip subsequently going viral.

The shop owner said he corrected the mistake immediately upon noticing it, but was arrested before being released on bail.

Acting Penang police chief Alwi Zainal Abidin said the investigation paper would be referred to the deputy public prosecutor.

This is the sixth flag-related incident since January and the second case of improper handling this month.